What a fun idea if your family enjoys Christmas movies but argues over which one to play. Wrap them all up and have someone choose a movie to watch. Eventually everyone will get to watch their favorite.

SHARING: I do not claim all posts to be my own…I post the sites, who and where they originate if the source is known.

JOKE OF THE DAY: It’s so awkward when you say good bye to loved ones on the phone and you’re like “I love you.” and they’re like “Thank you for choosing Domino’s.”

Would you like a super easy way to brighten up the exterior of your home for Christmas without costing a lot of money? If you have a window box and want to cover up the plain old dirt left over from summer, this display sets up in a very short time with very little work. Large ornaments can be purchased at almost any large retail chain or home reno store. The greenery can be real or artificial. Secure the greenery in the dirt with clothes hangers snipped into a ‘U’ shape.The ornaments can be strung together with fishing line and secured into the dirt the same way as the greenery. For an extra bit of sparkle add Christmas lights. This display looks particularly nice in the daylight.

SHARING: I do not claim all posts to be my own…I post the sites, who and where they originate if the source is known.

JOKE OF THE DAY: I wonder which mistake I am going to try to learn from today.

THIS DAY IN ENTERTAINMENT: 1972 – The Atari company announces the release of its first video game PONG.

Try these few tricks to remove (or at least dull) Sharpie marks from almost anything. For Clothes: use hand sanitizer, for Walls: use toothpaste or hairspray, for Wood: use rubbing alcohol, for Carpets use: white vinegar and for Dry Erase Boards: use dry erase marker (it makes no sense to me either but they say it works) and for Furniture use: milk.

SHARING: I do not claim all posts to be my own…I post the sites, who and where they originate if the source is known.JOKE OF THE DAY: Everyone is posting pictures of their Christmas trees and I’m over here like, I should do something about those rotting pumpkins on my porch.

“A SPECIAL treat for the family at Christmas! Quick and easy to prepare. May be placed in gift bags with a pretty bow. Ingredients can vary with your choice of substitutions. Something good to munch on!”

Directions
Melt almond bark or white chocolate chips in microwave or use a double boiler on stove top.
Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well.
Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Quickly place by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Allow to set up and harden. (Refrigerate them for a few minutes).

SHARING: I do not claim all posts to be my own…I post the sites, who and where they originate if the source is known.JOKE OF THE DAY: I just spent 15 minutes looking for my phone in the car…while using my phone for a flashlight.THIS DAY IN SPORTS: On this day, November 27th, in 1960, the Shotgun formation was introduced for the first time. Red Hickey is credited with bringing the formation to the NFL while coaching for the San Francisco 49ers. The formation places the quarterback farther behind the center, allowing more time for passing plays to develop. San Francisco quarterback John Brodie became the first Shotgun quarterback.The Shotgun formation became more popular in the 1960s and 1970s when the Jets adopted the formation for Joe Namath of the Jets and Roger Staubach of the Cowboys.

This would be made in any shape
2 cans of Pillsbury crescent rolls ( croissants)
1 package cream cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 can cherry or strawberry pie filing
glaze:
Powdered sugar
Milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Set two roll sections aside for candy cane stripes. Lay out remaining crescent roll sections in the shape of a candy cane making sure to overlap the edges slightly. Use a knife to cut out your candy cane shape. Mix together your cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Spread on top of your candy candy shape.
Spoon pie filling on top of cream cheese filling.
Using the remaining two roll sections, cut off long strips, twirl and lay on top of your filling to create a candy cane look. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until bread is golden brown.
Glaze:
Mix together ingredients alternating between powdered sugar and milk until desired consistency is obtained.
Drizzle over baked candy cane and enjoy!

SHARING: I do not claim all posts to be my own…I post the sites, who and where they originate if the source is known.

JOKE OF THE DAY: They hold elections in November because that is the best time for picking out a turkey.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Life is too short for shoes that hurt your feet, friends that make you feel bad about yourself, and jobs that crush your soul. Take a chance, make a change, the time is now – Lisa Lewtan

THIS DAY IN ENTERTAINMENT: 1942 – World premiere of movie “Casablanca” starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

Here is a fun and clever way to contain ‘kid clutter’. Paint metal mailboxes a solid color and stencil the child’s name on the lid (you can likely find reasonably priced mailboxes at Habitat For Humanity stores). Leave notes for the kids, reminders to clean up their rooms, lost and found, a dollar or two as a reward for a job well done or any other Thing you can think of.

Credit: blogger Connie Brumley Sutton for this fine idea.

SHARING: I do not claim all posts to be my own…I post the sites, who and where they originate if the source is known.

JOKE OF THE DAY: It isn’t a successful barbecue until some drunken idiot walks face first into a closed sliding glass door. I’m fine by the way.

SAD DAY IN THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS: Florence Henderson, who went from Broadway star to become one of America’s most beloved television moms in “The Brady Bunch,” has died. She was 82. Henderson died Thursday night November 24 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, she had suffered heart failure.

Cook the bacon in a skillet till nice and crispy, drain on paper towels, sopping up as much grease on the bacon as you can. Line a large baking pan with tinfoil. Place the crackers in a single layer on the tinfoil. Put the butter and brown sugar in a pot and cook over med. high heat to melt the butter. Once the butter had melted, bring the mixture up to a boil. Once it is boiling, cook for 3 minutes, whisking so it doesn’t burn. It will get foamy looking. After 3 minutes, remove from the heat and pour over the crackers, spreading around so all crackers are coated. Place the pan in a 400 degree oven for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Heat for 30 seconds, stir and go at 10 second intervals till melted. Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the bacon over the crackers. Drizzle the chocolate over the top and place in the fridge to cool completely. Gently pull the crackers away from the tinfoil and break into pieces.

Credit: Janet’s Appalachian Kitchen Via Connie Brumley Sutton

SHARING: I do not claim all posts to be my own…I post the sites, who and where they originate if the source is known.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: A speaker of truth has no friends. African Proverb

JOKE OF THE DAY: Lord, give me coffee to change the things I can change and wine to accept the things I can’t.

Minty Peppermint Tree Project
Choose a trio of craft foam shapes and glue on a variety of mints in red or green. Then top off your creations with tiny bow toppers.

Quick to make and so minty-fresh, these colorful topiary trees are made from candy that’s been hot-glued to a Styrofoam cone. We’ve displayed them on silver candlesticks for added elegance, but they can also just be set on your table or mantel.

You and your kids will have a blast making these gorgeous little trees.

Supplies
6-x-3 white Styrofoam cone
9-x-3 white Styrofoam cone
12-x-3 white Styrofoam cone
3 candleholders made to hold 3-inch pillar candles
Red and white candies: round peppermints, red hots, candy canes
Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
Trees
If needed, cut 1/4 inch off the top of Styrofoam cone, so one candy can be hot-glued sideways.
Hot-glue candy to the cone starting at the bottom and working up to the top, completely covering surface.
For the candy cane tree, try a ‘dry run’ with elastics to hold the canes in place to get desired spacing.
Place the finished trees on wide candlesticks designed to display large pillar candles. Secure with a dab of Tacky Wax or floral clay if desired. Or set the trees directly on the table or on a plate of greenery.
To make a minty place-setting decoration, hot-glue a flat, round peppermint candy to the center of each candy cane. Let dry, then use as a table decoration on each napkin. Or tie a ribbon around each napkin and add a candy cane underneath the ribbon.

SHARING: I do not claim all posts to be my own…I post the sites, who and where they originate if the source is known.

JOKE OF THE DAY: What if the spider you killed in your home had spent his entire life thinking you were his room-mate? Ever think about that? No. You only ever think about yourself.

ANOTHER JOKE OF THE DAY: Silence is golden. Duct tape is silver. Coincidence? I think not.

From now until December 31, Brentwood Classics and Charter House interiors is offering a great savings promotion on the Parker sectional. There are several different sectional/chaise combinations to choose from. All sectionals are benchmade in Canada, kiln dried hardwood frames, toss cushions included. Please see the Parker in our PRODUCT section of the website under fabric sofas. There are 2 Parker sectionals in our showroom. Take one home for the holidays.

SHARING: I do not claim all posts to be my own…I post the sites they are from and who they are from, if the source is known.

JOKE OF THE DAY: I didn’t sleep well last night so I made my coffee with Red Bull this morning instead of water. I got half way to work before I realized I forgot my car.

FAMOUS QUOTE SAID ON THIS DAY, NOVEMBER 22: 1963 This is a sad time for all people. We have suffered a loss that cannot be weighed. (about the JFK assassination). – Lyndon B. Johnson

***Editors Note*** I did some research from several different tutorials on how to bleach pinecones. They all agree, it takes time but they don’t agree on proportions of bleach to water and the time frame. If you have time to experiment, try both ways with small amounts of bleach/water and one or two pinecones. decide which method is best for your needs.

METHOD ONE: 2 parts water to 1 part bleach and submerge pinecones for no more than 24 hours

METHOD TWO: 1 part water to 2 parts bleach and submerge pinecones for 36-48 hours
Start off with pinecones that are in good condition, brown, not green, and have already started opening. The drier they are, the more open the pinecones become. Very dry pinecones will accept bleach better than one with lots of moisture in it. Packaged pinecones have been baked and are very dry. They are a great option to use if you do not have any pinecones available to you naturally in your area. It doesn’t matter what type of pinecones you use. Each species of pine cones will bleach differently. Also, bleaching them will not turn them “white”; they will become lighter, but not pure white. It’s more of a patina or distressed look.
Bleached pinecones require very few supplies and is an easy project. Even so, it does take some time.
Materials:

Pinecones (various shapes and sizes)
Bleach
Large bucket
Water
Rubber Gloves
Bricks or Large Rocks

It’s best to do this part outside or in a well-ventilated area. Make sure you are wearing clothes that you don’t mind ruining just in case you splash yourself with bleach water, and wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Put the pinecones in a large bucket (5 gallon utility bucket is best). Fill the bucket with water first and then add the bleach. The cones will float. Push them back down into the bleach water and lay the bricks or stones on top. You might have to add another rock or two and tuck any floaters back under the rocks. Pinecones close up when they are wet, so if you won’t see any change because they are closed, that doesn’t mean it’s not working. METHOD 1. Let the pinecones sit in the bleach solution for 24 hours, but no more than that. Check after 12 hours or so, smaller pinecones should already be whitish. Any longer than that, the pinecones will start to deteriorate in some spots. METHOD 2. Let the pinecones sit in the bleach solution for 36-48 hours.

After desired time has elapsed, put on your gloves and work/craft clothes and remove the pinecones. Lay them out on a large piece of paper outdoors so the fumes will dissipate. To dispose of the bleach water, slowly pour into a bathtub, being careful not to let any twigs or dirt go down the drain.

As they dry, they will start to open up again. If it’s a warm, sunny day, leave them outside to completely dry. It can take a few days for them to fully open. If you are in a hurry or have a stretch of wet weather, you can dry them in your oven. Set your oven to the lowest setting (it’s usually 170-200 F) and let the pinecones dry for a couple of hours. As soon as they are open, remove them.

As they dry you will be amazed at the transformation! Apply glitter or pearl beads to a few pinecones for added glamour. Mix with unbleached pinecones, ribbon or pine sprigs for a different look. They are even pretty on their own displayed in a tall glass vase or bowl. However you decide to use them, making bleached pinecones is a simple project that yields beautiful results.

SHARING: I do not claim all posts to be my own…I post the sites, who and where they originate if the source is known.

JOKE OF THE DAY: For once we are going to have a happy family get together. I’m stuffed the turkey with Prozac.